Page 24 of Rev

He nods, a hint of a smile on his lips. “We’ll see. Now go. Stay out of sight and don’t let Gordon, or any of the men who work for me, find out what you’re doing. I know you said that you’ve looked into all of them, but trust no one until we know who the rats are.”

I stand, preparing to leave, but as I turn to go, Shaun’s voice stops me.

“And, Hadrian,” he says, his tone softer. “Please take care of yourself. And protect my daughter.”

I look back at him, my eyes meeting his. “I will, sir. Thank you.”

With that, I leave the room, closing the door behind me. The weight of the conversation still hangs heavy on my shoulders, but there’s a sense of relief too. I have a plan, a way forward. And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I can see a future beyond the shadows of my past.

As I walk through the quiet house, memories from the past flood back to me—working for Mr Hunt, getting to know Harley, and the happy times we shared. It all feels like a lifetime ago. Now I have a chance to make things right and make up for leaving Shaun’s organisation when he needed me.

By the time I step out into the garden, the sun is setting, casting a golden glow over the landscape. I take a deep breath, and as the cool evening air fills my lungs, I feel a renewed sense of hope and determination. This is my chance to make things right, to prove I’m the man Harley believes I can be.

My mind is racing with thoughts of the future. If we can get Gordon, we can finish this shite that’s been going on, and I can finally talk to Harley about how I feel. My emotions have been all over the place since I laid eyes on her again a few days ago.

Getting into my car, I pause, and looking back at the house, I smile when I think about how this place saved me and Hades. It stands as a symbol of the life I left behind and the future I’m striving towards. With one final deep breath, I start the engine and drive away, ready to face whatever comes next.

The sea stretches out before me, a vast expanse of silver under the moonlight. The bench where Harley and I always meet is a place of comfort and contemplation for us. It’s a place where decisions are made and futures are decided.

I see her silhouette against the sky, her posture tense yet composed. Approaching her slowly, my heart pounds with the weight of the news I carry. She turns as I near her, and those pretty eyes search mine for answers before I even speak.

“Hadrian,” she says softly, a mix of relief and apprehension in her voice. “Did you speak with my da?”

I nod, taking a seat beside her. The wood of the bench feels cool through the material of my jeans, grounding me. “I did. He’s agreed to let us work together to take down Gordon.”

A flicker of hope lights up her eyes, tempered by caution. “That’s good news. But?”

“But, there’s a condition,” I continue. “We need to inform him of our plans before making any moves. He wants to know exactly what we’re doing and when we’re doing it.”

Harley nods, her gaze shifting to the horizon. “I understand. He’s worried, and rightfully so. Gordon is dangerous, and we can’t afford to make any mistakes.”

I reach out, taking her hand in mine. “We will be careful, Harley, and we’ll be smart. But we need to stay united, all of us. Your father included.”

She squeezes my hand. “I know. I trust you, Hadrian. I trust us.”

There’s a moment of silence between us, disturbed only by the sound of the waves. I feel another surge of determination, a resolve to protect Harley and see this through.

“We’ve got a plan,” I say, my voice steady. “We’ll track Gordon’s movements, gather all the evidence, and then confront him once we have the upper hand. But we need to make sure your father is on board with every step.”

Harley nods again, her expression thoughtful. “We’ll do it together. We’ll bring Gordon down and ensure he pays for what he’s done.”

I can see the fire in her eyes. It’s the same inner strength that drew me to her in the first place. She’s strong, determined, and unyielding. With her by my side, I feel unstoppable.

“Let’s head back to the warehouse,” I say, standing up and pulling her gently with me. “Gordon might still be there, and we can spy on him.”

Harley stands, her hand still in mine. “Let’s do it. The sooner we start, the sooner we can put an end to this.”

We walk back towards the car, the night air cool and crisp around us. The path ahead is uncertain, filled with risks and challenges, but I know we can face anything that comes our way. Together, we’ll take down Gordon and secure the future we both deserve.

As we drive to the warehouse, I feel a sense of anticipation. The fight is just beginning, but with Harley and her father on our side, I know we have a chance to win.

TEN

HARLEY

I don’t want to leave the confines of our hiding spot. The heat radiating off Hadrian makes me feel safe. Our bodies are practically moulded against each other, and his hand on my hip doesn’t move, even though it really should.

It’s been a few days since Hadrian went to see my da and tell him our suspicions. Since their meeting, my father has become increasingly unwell and is now in hospital undergoing more tests. The doctors still don’t know what is wrong with him, but he is becoming weaker, and his liver and kidneys are failing. I don’t know how much more time I will have with him, so I need this investigation completed, so I can focus on him.

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